Schedule 1 understands exactly what makes a good business sim: endless, detailed routines. The ability to organize and plan every painstaking detail of your business, and reap the rewards of such effort, makes for a deeply satisfying gameplay loop. TVGS took those sensibilities and applied them to drug dealing.
In Schedule 1, you don’t just sell drugs. You buy the seeds (or ingredients), plant them, harvest them, package them, and then discuss terms of sale with clients over the phone. You then have to meet them at the agreed upon location at the agreed upon time. While executing the handoff, you have to make sure that the cops don’t spot you. If they do, it’s time to run.
It sounds silly, but it truly makes for a fun and engaging experience. You can customize your hideout by installing and moving around different appliances. Earning more cash allows you to progress by acquiring larger work spaces and tools to make your workflow more efficient. For example, the automatic bagging machine takes a major step out of the process, freeing up the player’s time and allowing them to focus on other aspects of the business.
It’s a special bonus that Schedule 1 works excellently as a co-op game. Up to four players can share a world, working together to acquire and distribute drugs. Building your empire is equally stressful and thrilling, as any good business sim should be. If this is just what Early Access has to offer, we can’t wait to see 1.0.
